In the event of an emergency, even if you are well versed in the list of medications and dosages you take, you may not be able to communicate this imperative, life saving information. Home care services advocate the use of a personal information pack to assure that you receive proper care.
Although many people are able to verbally list their medications and dosages along with the name and contact information of their primary care physician, there are a number of those that, due to decreased cognitive function or the overwhelming number of medications taken, are not able to share this information on a good day, let alone in an emergency. Personal information packs will assist with this concern.
The contents of this pack should include a complete list of all medications along with their dosages and number of times per day that they are taken. In addition, contact information for your primary care physician is pertinent. Another item of concern that should be included is the name and contact information for a family member or close friend that you would want notified in the event of an emergency.
In addition to lists and information, many home care services will suggest that you include at least one-month worth of medication. This would come in useful in the event that your home was uninhabitable or destroyed or for some other reason you were forced to leave you home in a hurry. Having all of your pertinent information and a month’s worth of medication in one handy location would make it easier for you to leave quickly without forgetting anything.
However, just having all of this together in one place is not enough. One must have a designated location for the information and medication so that in the event of an emergency it can easily be found. Many home care services recommend storing your pack in the refrigerator.
This location has become a well-known area for emergency personnel to look first for this type of information. In addition, your refrigerator is a cool, dark place that will help conserve the life of your medication. Moreover, in the event of a natural disaster or fire, the refrigerator can withstand more damage than most any other place in the home.
It is also highly recommended by home care services that all individuals, but especially the elderly, register for disaster assistance. In this way, if your area was to experience a natural or wide spread disaster, you would receive the medical attention needed in addition to nutritional support and water that will help you through this rough time.
Aside from emergency situations, it is a good idea to have a friend, neighbor or family member to routinely make a physical visit to your home to assure that you are safe and doing well.
Maximus is a professional copywriter, specializing in the topic of home care services and the intricacies of in home senior care. He publishes useful information for the elderly and helps them to understand the aging process.
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